Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE SLUGGARD, by ISAAC WATTS


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THE SLUGGARD, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Tis the voice of the sluggard; I heard him complain
Last Line: Who taught me betimes to love working and reading.
Subject(s): Idleness; Laziness; Sloth; Indolence


'Tis the Voice of the Sluggard! I heard him compain,
'You have wak'd me too soon, I must slumber again.'
As the Door on its Hinges, sol he on his Bed,
Turns his Sides and his Shoulders and his heavy Head.

'A little more Sleep, and a little more Slumber;'
Thus he wastes half his Days and his Hours without Number;
And when he gets up, he sits folding his Hands,
Or walks about sauntering, or trifling he stands/

I pass'd by his Garden, and saw the wild Brier,
The Thorn and the Thistle grow broader and higher;
The Clothes that hand on him are turning to Rags;
And his Money still wastes, till he starves or he begs.

I made him a Visit, still hoping to find
He had took better Care for improving his Mind:
He told me his Dreams, talk'd of Eating and Drinking;
But he scarce reads his Bible, and never loves Thinking.

Said I then to my Heart, 'Here's a lesson for me;'
That Man's but a Picture of what I might be:
But thanks to my Friends for their Care in my Breeding,
Who taught me betimes to love Working and Reading.





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